On July 16th GM launched a dedicated Chevy Volt social media portal called ChevroletVoltAge.com.
I have some mixed feelings about this. GM made me aware it was coming, and I actually was briefed on the project in person at a meeting at GM’s headquarters which included people from GM communications, social media, and Chevrolet marketing.
As anyone reading this is likely aware, being a Chevy Volt social media portal is actually, well, the exact purpose of GM-Volt.com. For two and 1/2 years I have tirelessly built this site to be what it is today and with much thanks to all the wonderful readers like you.
When GM-Volt.com began, I saw myself as the ambassador to GM, working to bring the details and news of Volt and EV development out into the public eye, and to compel GM to move the car from concept to production. That line has been crossed long ago, and now we are only slightly more than a year away from launch.
GM has seen the value of this site, its readership, and what it represents and they have decided they want to “tell their own story.” Such is the birth of ChevroletVoltAge.com.
I of course shall carry on here, doing my best to interpret the news, developments, and discussion as it happens. We here have the tremendous advantage of unfiltered and uncensored information and discussion, without corporate cleansing.
It is my hope that both sites can coexist and bring value to one another. You will notice GM-Volt.com is linked out from the Chevy site and considered a friend. Content from here will also appear in their news feeds.
And the reality is my and our hope and dream for a world less dependent on oil has come one step closer.
Feel free to let me know what you think about this development, and any ideas you have for our future direction. I greatly value your opinions. While you’re at it, enjoy the Volt IVer production video GM has put up to launch the site:
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 at 6:08 pm and is filed under Feedback to GM, Marketing, Public Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+29
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:11 pm)GM-Volt.com is still #1 with me Lyle !
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:14 pm)I have to say, I think they are re-inventing the wheel a bit, your site has been the mainstay of Chevy Volt info, and will remain so. However, the corporate face does need to do a better job of public relations, and this is most likely their first attempt. It is needed. I don’t think either site will detract from the other, any more than the numerous fan-sites for any product or show do. They often exchange very good information to make sure it gets out faster.
I do hope they eventually will differentiate it a bit. I for one would LOVE to have a downloadable owner’s manual for the Volt, like I can get for my shortwave radios, so I could plan my future purchases accordingly (for example, I will download a manual for a model of radio I want so I can get the batteries and antennae correct before the radio ever comes home).
-35
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:19 pm)(click to show comment)
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:27 pm)Hostile corporate takeover? Time will tell, I do hope that Lyle will continue to get access to inside Volt news. Also Lyle will be truly independent and not beholden to corporate propaganda and party line. Things could possibly work out for the better, The corporate site for the Volt basics, then GM-VOLT.COM for real in depth Volt news. Lyle could be a featured gust on VoltAge…
Cheers Lyle!
+4
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:33 pm)“VoltAge”
That was mine!!!!
The ICEAge is over, Embrace the “VoltAge”.
I was robbed I tell U!!!
I want my royalties!
+3
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:37 pm)“We here have the tremendous advantage of unfiltered and uncensored information and discussion, without corporate cleansing.”
Translation….
You potty mouthed bastards are free to post any sh|t U want!!!!
Yeah, I’m staying here.
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:41 pm)Lyle,
I think you hit the nail on the head that your site is free to discuss GM and its competitors in a more unfiltered way, so it will always be relevant.
Any word regarding your list of sales leads? If GM won’t pay for it, maybe their competitors will.
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:45 pm)I guess this means the good doctor will not be getting to evaluate a Volt IVER in extended range mode. Perhaps the new site will provide information like the size of the gas tank and the discrete RPM levels of the ICE. Perhaps not. Time will tell.
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:47 pm)We here have the tremendous advantage of unfiltered and uncensored information and discussion, without corporate cleansing.
—————————————–
These are advantages so powerful that everyone still is going to come here, even as we look at whatever they have that is new there. I am going to make comments about the Volt as approved by GM? I don’t think so.
I understand that GM wants to control everything anyone says about them and their products, because that’s the way of big corporations, but people enjoy and prefer freedom. The USA, for all its faults, has more than most places. Let us carry on.
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:49 pm)I have always appreciated the range of views and discussions that have appeared on the “gm-volt” site. Lyle, thank you for all the time, effort and money that you have put into this venture and for keeping the dialog impartial.
I doubt that the new “VoltAge” site will allow much dissension, and much on the content will be “sanitized”. That’s why I’ll continue my daily visit to “gm-volt” to see how things are progressing …
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:49 pm)“I am going to make comments about the Volt as approved by GM? I don’t think so.”
I’ll drink 2 that!!!
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:50 pm)Not to worry Lyle – we get a lot from this site and we know it’s not just shine. We’ll get good video and dates from the GM site. Did you see that white Volt on the production line? Man is that a fantastic looking car. I’ve had mixed feelings from concept to production model but am sold on this car now. Lots of credit to you and GM-VOLT.COM. Keep it real and leave the marketing woo who to the GM site.
Besides, their site is already broken. It won’t let me register!
Todd
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:51 pm)I think we should pool together some $$$ for a “Throw Lyle on the plane” tour to test drive the BYD F3DM. Make sure you get to drive in Genset mode!!!!
WHAT SAY U!!!!
fyi, don’t as me to do it because I am unreliable.
+29
Jul 16th, 2009 (6:56 pm)It is good to see that GM has a working, functional portal to get information out on the Volt. It has been along time coming. I have been perusing it myself the last day or so and it has some interesting content…and looks to have some functionality to discuss Volt related news/topics and to ask questions.
However, after spending some time there checking it out, I appreciate Lyle’s site even more.
I’m sure GM’s site will offer all the ‘ins and outs’ on the technical nature of the Volt, (and Lyle will deliver those to us as well), but we get all the ‘extra pieces of the puzzle’ here.
We get ‘everything EV’ here (not only GM content), and we can talk about it freely without censorship. I doubt GM can ever nurture the kind of open and frank community that Lyle (and ourselves as part of the larger whole) have built here…truth be told I doubt they want that, lol. GM-Volt.com will always be my number one destination.
It is my hope that GM’s ChevroletVoltAge.com GM-Volt.com will form a partnership into the future, working together towards the same goal
…getting Statik a fricken’ EV already
Sidenote: And as always, Lyle offers us a site free from the cold hands of marketing maven Mark LaNeve
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (7:04 pm)It was set up last week, so probably your claim would fall to Motors Liquidation Co., hehe
/good luck getting paid
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (7:05 pm)I figure the over/under on the handle ‘Statik’ getting modded/banned is 12 posts.
/Lyle has crazy restraint, (=
Jul 16th, 2009 (7:47 pm)Besides, their site is already broken. It won’t let me register!
———————
Are you a good friend of Mark LeNeve?
Maybe not a good enough friend?
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:06 pm)GM has seen the value of this site, its readership, and what it represents and they have decided they want to “tell their own story.” Such is the birth of ChevroletVoltAge.com.
….
Feel free to let me know what you think about this development, and any ideas you have for our future direction.
———————————————————————–
So what I actually think of it is that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” GM saw gm-volt was a great site and wants it for itself. The problem for GM is that without independent editing and an independent readership making comments, their site will be seen as simply marketing, if that.
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:08 pm)Hi All, been reading this forum from the beginning but never made a post. Just wanted to throw my 2c into the mix.
While I do like gm-volt.com I think its a great idea for GM to start marketing more aggressively on the volt. They need their own site which they can spend $$ on and push through media outlets to get people who have no idea – an idea!
I also think its great they have taken the opportunity to share a link to the gm-volt.com site. Its kinda like them saying, Lyle, thank you for your efforts and we appreciate it, but now we need to up the ante and really start pushing this product.
On a side note – I am more than happy to drive a volt as my daily commute of they want to see how it performs in our climat downunder!
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:08 pm)Lyle–You have been a great ambassador and proponent of the electrical powered vehicle. You have been a great service to GM and I certainly can see you feel as tho this is your baby. It is and hopefully will continue.
However, I can see that GM wants to have a official website where they control what is said from a legal sense. There is no way that GM could operate thru your site on a continuous basis.
I do hope they continue to treat you as a friend and provide you with “inside” information. I know that you have piqued me to read every day and I will continue to do so.
Hopefully, GM will honor you with the first unit off the line.
Thanks
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:10 pm)statik said It is my hope that GM’s ChevroletVoltAge.com GM-Volt.com will form a partnership into the future, working together towards the same goal
————————————————-
That would be a little like the NYT having had a partnership with Pravda, back in the olden days. I liked the NYT much better as an independent paper.
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:15 pm)Grant said the corporate face does need to do a better job of public relations,
==================
If said face could stop saying things like “We have plenty of liquidity to make it through 2009″, it would help a lot. (smile)
-1
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:17 pm)It is your brower Todd, behold the power of web 2.0, lol.
Use another computer, update, or use another OS. I actually couldn’t register myself because I use a ‘old & busted’ computer to ‘web surf’. I had to move to my ‘business & gaming’ comp to get it done.
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:22 pm)I reg’d for the test of it. Their forum seems to suck in format worst than this new one here.
JIMHO
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:22 pm)Tex-Ari said I can see that GM wants to have a official website where they control what is said from a legal sense.
————————-
GM has of course had a huge web site for a long time, filled with all sorts of marketing information for all their brands. What it doesn’t have is interaction with readers. They tried interaction on the fastlane blog they have, but it is sporadic at best.
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:26 pm)Lyle, I don’t think you’ve got any competition from voltage, keep up the good work.
CaptJack, dude. . . you totally got ripped. First thing I thought of when I saw the “volt-age”. You definately are owed some royalty!
(too bad you’ll have to get paid in in “negative dollars”)
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:28 pm)Yep, Still No. #1. Lyle, take this as a complement because they just want to have the success that you did but have some more control over their own marketing. Maybe you started something here.
You also showed them how to do it and keep it going well for so long. Of course you did massive amounts of work and it’s very unlikely that they will be able to match this site but let them try. Then chuckle when they do not have the readership.
In the world of social networking and Internet software those that are in the know realize people are very hard to predict. People are picky and strange.
This site also has that impartial feel that GM will not be able to match. We can write anything we want without you taking it down. GM will not be able to match that either. Frankly, I just don’t see their site working at all. To much PR, too restrictive of a social network.
It’s kind of like going to your parents to talk about sex. Yeah, they know a lot about it but do you want to hear it from them? Are they impartial? Nope! So, don’t worry Lyle. If anything, they will realize even more how valuable you and this site are and give you one of the first Volts for free. You started and maintained a unique PR movement that marketing executives could not have dreamed up. Great job Doc!
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:34 pm)Ditto. CJS got the GM shaft.
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:35 pm)I think it’s a compliment that they want to have an official version of this site. I don’t think it reflects badly on this site, they just like the idea. Maybe they’ll hire Lyle to contribute to their site?
-1
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:43 pm)Brower….sigh.
/browser
(See I told you I used ‘old & busted’…no spellchecker, still, always.
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:45 pm)You’d have to be one hard core fan-boy to NOT notice what’s missing from chevroletvoltage.com. I saw barely even a reference to the range extending aspect of the volt. I didn’t here anybody say 50 mpg anywhere on the videos I watched.*
The only thing that matters on the volt is the range extender! . . . (for cryin’ out loud).
I did, however see a reference to “who will win” and hear “we’re taking risks” .
This does not look good.
If GM has to punt out of this, look for a spin in the “we’re not afraid to take risks department” followed by a “comeback” announcement of a BEV.
*(if I missed it, point it out)
+3
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:45 pm)What makes gm-volt.com great is the beat-rate. I doubt that any corporate venture will have the endurance to update the site as frequently as gm-volt.com. I look forward to news about the Volt and related items on a daily basis…
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:50 pm)Keep the Volt news unfiltered and uncensored.
Thanks Lyle.
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:52 pm)We don’t neeed no Steeeenkin Chevy site. It’s nice that they ASKED your opinion, but then to go ahead and field a site of their own? I don’t think so. You (and we) deserve better.
So much for lollipops and unicorns.
Be well, Lyle.
Tag
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (8:54 pm)My read on GM’s decision to start their own website is that they want to make a sideline website sprouting from their Fastlane blog. It will function probably moreso for general information about the Volt and other Voltec cars they are working on. GM-Volt.com is for the hardcore enthusiasts of the technology and the EV car realm in general. At first glance the GM website will appear as competition to our website, but I think in time it will serve more as general info., FAQ, and maybe a video here and there.
To me personally, GM’s website is more extraneous than anything. Here is where I come for my Volt information, (and will continue to come).
Hats off to Lyle for perseverance and his efforts for our common belief in the EV community!
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:12 pm)Voltec and Voltage seem to be GM specific terms. If EREVs are really going to go mainstream, GM will need competition. Competition not only makes the players more competitive, it also validates the market, and really gets customers interested.
I know many people have an instinct to keep GM the only game in town, but if we truly want EREVs to go mainstream, then we will need and EREV-40 from another major car maker. In the end, GM will make more money on EREVs if it has serious competition…
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:15 pm)Sidenote: And as always, Lyle offers us a site free from the cold hands of marketing maven Mark LaNeve
================================================
Everytime I see a reference to Mr. LaNeve’s “turn a phrase” personality, I have a good laugh. I bet his ears burn constantly. Maybe someday I will meet this guy…and raise a pint of lemonade. I would guess that he makes awesome lemonade.
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:30 pm)So what will become of our waiting list? Will GM just leave us out in the cold?
Perhaps GM found this blog too sophisticated, too technical, and too critical for their broader target audience. Anyway, after visiting the new site I left feeling empty and under whelmed. I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Please hang in there Lyle for I enjoy your site immensely!
Kindly,
Denise
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:31 pm)______________________________________________________
Lyle,
It is just a matter of time before GM asks you to shut down GM-VOLT.COM. They will ask nicely….then not so nicely (legal notice).
Sorry but that is the way it will play out….GM will not allow someone (including Lyle Dennis #1 Volt fan) not 100% controlled/owned by GM to have controll of a portal site bearing the “GM” brand. They have gone along with the GM-VOLT.COM site to this point because they knew they could on one hand take advantage of the immediate benefit while allowing some time to play out before demanding it be shut down.
What you have accomplished with the GM-VOLT.COM site is heroic.
GM taking the stance that will be taking in the future on GM-VOLT.com does not in any way detract from the contribution you have made towards helping spark the Electric Car Revolution.
______________________________________________________
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:38 pm)I hope you’re wrong, but you might be right.
If it happens Lyle, I hope you don’t go down without a fight (or take the “payola”).
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:41 pm)Since our list has no relation or connection business wise to GM, we all need to just bendover…….
(
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:42 pm)If they do, send me your webfiles and do not sellout the DNS name of the site!!!!
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:44 pm)I thought the same thing, too. Since cash is a little tight how about a barter? Say a couple Aveos, or maybe some blue-logo corporate-wear?
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:45 pm)I was going to mention that to you as soon as I read the article. Hope you had it copyrighted.
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:47 pm)Smithers! Release the hounds!
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:47 pm)GM-Volt.com is still going to the FIRST place I go to for keeping up with developments with the Volt program. When I have time, I read a bunch of different websites about the new “green technologies” that are being developed. The Volt, of course, is THE most interesting thing that I like to keep up with though.
The people that post on this blog are smart, well informed folks. Several sound like automotive engineers. We all want to see the Volt be a huge success for GM and the whole auto industry. It kind of feels like we’re the first “Chevy Volt club” even though the Volt hasn’t even come close to being in dealerships yet.
There’s all sorts of clubs for sports cars enthusiasts …. Porsche clubs, Corvette clubs, Ferrari clubs, etc. A good club should be somewhat independent from the car company you know. That way, GM gets the “straight scoop” about how people like the Volt and what they’d like to see to make it even better.
With GM-Volt.com it’s kind of like we’re all hanging out at Lyle’s house instead of at GM’s press room. For some reason, I get a little squirrely about posting on GM’s websites sometimes because I feel like I might step on somebody’s toes or whatever. But on this site, it’s a little different for some reason. It’s like we’re in Lyle’s backyard at a barbecue or something. I’ll be checking out the new GM site AND this one. I bet most of my posting about the Volt will be right here. I’ve been doing this for about a year and a half (maybe 2 years?). Why stop now?
People in this blog have been monitoring all the Volt developments since 2007 or so. Lots of good information from the people in here. Lyle especially. He’s kind of an insider in the Volt program. He’s interviewed a bunch of the main guys. Lyle might be creating “breaking news” like CNN.
Other websites provide links to GM-Volt.com. I hope GM keeps a partnership going with this GM-Volt.com blog. We’ve been here since the beginning. Lots of us are going to be the very first OWNERS of the Volt in November 2010 you know.
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:51 pm)True—The real problem is that Lyle has been able to throw us a bone and we all tore after like a bunch of dogs. That made us feel good. How does GM create a “Person” devoted to answering the multitude of questions, many of which they would have to spend days to get a “correct”
answer. Sometimes that gets cumbersome.
Here we can be free to talk. If you can figure out how to do that for GM without costing an arm & a leg, always legally accurate, and instantaneous I would bet that would pay you well.
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:52 pm)I wonder if the Votage website will have to go thru the same trials & tribulations this site did, and all of the same debates/discussions?
I think there will be a lot more trolls/newbies on that site.
I liked the “Ian Van Dahl – Will I” music sample for the IVer video. Also saw some new images of the Volt I had not seen before.
I’ll prob check the Voltage site for info, but come here to discuss it.
(wonder if I should buy the domain name TheAmpEra.com”)
Jul 16th, 2009 (9:56 pm)The LAST company that needs ill-will is GM. If they went that route, I’d assume that most (all?) here will go elsewhere for their electric vehicle (and there will be plenty of competition to go to). I’m still so miffed, I can’t see straight.
Tag
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:00 pm)I think you have stated the situation well. Hopefully Lyle will continue this site at least until full production and then maybe he can pick up another new vehicle—like a S-10 Erev.
+4
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:03 pm)“payola”
Hmm……
I’m a money whore, I’d take the payola.
Iknow, Iknow…….slut.
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:07 pm)I disagree. Look at the bottom of this website. Copyright laws are pretty strong–or used to be.
I would bet that people in GM read this site all the time because they get a lot of feedback (not all good) that they can utilize.
Also, they don’t have to be defending every word continually.
The last two paragraphs, I agree with.
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:08 pm)lol…… I GOT JACKED!
My feelings are hurt, imagogettabeer……
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:09 pm)They don’t have to force Lyle’s site out of business, they just have to restrict access to inside information, test drives and interviews. Then this site becomes mostly like all the other EV sites and chevroletvoltage.com becomes the place you have to go for up to the minute info on the Volt.
Sadly, this will come to be. The new information about the Volt will fewer and farther between. It will also be much more controlled. The New GM may be copying the model of Toyota, ie: you can’t see until it’s finished!
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:12 pm)I’d expect that. Pirates live for booty.
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:17 pm)Lyle,
Your website is always the first I look at. Even before I open email.
Aint gonna change.
Thanks you very much!
-2
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:18 pm)And on the flip side . .. . . . . (stand by for conspiracy theory) . . .
If “Voltec” is a bust, and they have to punt, GM’s gonna want to “spin it their way”. That’s going to be easier without gm-volt.com up and running.
/ref. my post at 18
+5
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:18 pm)I don’t see GM making that move CDAVIS.
It still remains to be seen if this new site from GM has any real ‘will’ behind it or not. This ‘VoltAge’ could just be another website, in a long line of ill-conceived, hastily thrown together and then abandoned portals. We will know soon enough, as a active website is hard to maintain.
Sidenote: Quick, name me a dedicated, GM produced, website that you check into for your source for news…on any subject…about any car. Hrm…yupe, nothing.
Lyle, has accomplished something here that no one at GM could ever hope to do…and in GM’s favor. I think they would be insane to shut it down, both from a bad press standpoint if they did, and from a good press standpoint (as in Lyle gets plenty of it for them).
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:20 pm)Perhaps, but I have to give GM credit for the outreach with things like this and the Fastlane chat sessions. If other automakers are doing it I have not noticed.
+2
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:26 pm)Just keepin to the code maty….
-5
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:31 pm)Sorry to be blunt, but many here don’t consider Prius an ally. So, my perspective on Volt will probably just be disregarded anyway…
Volt discussions had already faded away. There was basically nothing left. Talk of the pre-production model vanished with the emergence of the new GM. It makes this new approach from GM introducing a social site for the technology not much of a surprise, especially since it has changed so much.
Their “How the Volt Works” animation provided indicates the battery empty at 36 miles and makes no reference whatsoever to MPG with the engine running. That further reinforces what some had suspected for awhile.
Volt now faces a market very, very different from which it was originally conceived. Can we finally be realistic here?
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:32 pm)That’s what’s cool about bein’ a pirate. When you get up in the mornin’, (or at the crack of noon) you don’t have to wonder what you’re gonna be. You just get up . . and start bein’ bad.
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:34 pm)I echo your sentiment Tag.
Lyle seems practically like family now to me at this point, as do you Tag (although your more like the crazy uncle we don’t speak of), and many of the other posters I’ve come to know. We have wasted years of our life here now, and I have to back family first.
I don’t see GM shutting down/shutting out Lyle by any stretch, but if for some strange reason they did, I would have to cease my car buying relationship with GM.
Sidenote: GM does acknowledge Lyle on the new site…and Lyle has been doing this (for their benefit) for going on 2.5 years now, and has been given access all the way, I think we have to give GM the benefit of the doubt on doing the right thing on this one, and continuing to support/endorse GM-Volt.com.
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:37 pm)By realistic do you mean will everyone agree with you, no I doubt it.
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:45 pm)Statik,
Take it from the crazy uncle, many of us Do feel like family. That’s partly why I think GM is making such a bad move fielding their own site (after asking Papa Lyle no less). It just shows bad judgement on their part (in my never to be humble opinion).
See you tomorrow though.
Be well,
Tagamet
/acronym omitted intentionally.
Jul 16th, 2009 (10:47 pm)“/acronym omitted intentionally.”
__________
Wow. You really are miffed.
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (11:05 pm)Statik, it looks like ChevroletVoltAge is the perfect site for you. Under the “Recent Photo’s” title, they have prominently placed a number of the lovely robins egg blue shots that you regularly “rave” about
Jul 16th, 2009 (11:06 pm)We’re not going anywhere Lyle. I’ve commited too much time lurking your website to quit now.
PS – Statik is really Bob Lutz
Jul 16th, 2009 (11:12 pm)Indeed, that is like a 2 page diatrible from me.
Punch the clock, get some sleep my friend, we’ll all be here tomorrow supporting Lyle, same ol’ same ol’
Jul 16th, 2009 (11:17 pm)Well, I tried to register. No go. I waited two hours for the email confirmation thing. Never got it. Maybe tomorrow?
If they aren’t set up for Mac users, well then screw it. I use Safari only. I could use Firefox too, but I don’t want to mess with it.
Good luck GM.
I’ll stay with this site for now. Thanks.
Jul 16th, 2009 (11:19 pm)Well, OK maybe I’ll try at work, where we use PCs.
+1
Jul 16th, 2009 (11:40 pm)Well, Lyle, I’m not sure if GM is with you on this, or as some have mentioned, looking to take over.
Obviously, GM will have control over pictures, videos, and other media that they make, and may or may not share those with gm-volt.com. However, you can always link to their site for these updates.
Also, as others have mentioned, GM doesn’t want to get into the heated debates that we have here, for instance, the whiners that continously harp about the EV1. I’m sure they don’t want to deal with these people, and will sanitize their forum.
At the end of the day, we will need to depend on GM to release info on the Volt, and it just may have to be exclusively released on their site. That’s okay, as long as we can learn about it here, and go there if necessary for the details.
Regarding the discussion, it will be nice to have online question and answers with the Volt team, and that will probably be exclusive to the new “VoltAge” site (name compliments of CJS).
However, for the more energetic, informed, and humorous content, one will need to come here for the real discussion. After GM says “up to 40 miles AER”, they will not elaborate any more. Over here, we will say WTF? Is that for city driving on a snowy day with the defroster blasting and no regen (too slippery) or is that 45 mph on a cool autumn day, downhill with the wind at your back? No holds barred, we will dig into the truth and find articles from sources around the globe on this and other electric cars.
And the best thing is as well as being is informative, this site is also fun! That’s because it is genuine and considers “all cars electric”. It isn’t a corporate commercial. I visit the GM media sites from time to time to see what is new, but I always come here to learn, interact, and enjoy.
Keep up the good work, Lyle. It will take a great deal hard work and sincerity for anyone to surpass this site when it comes to the Volt!
Jul 16th, 2009 (11:42 pm)I guess it was only a matter of time before they whipped out something “official.” The video looks really great, seems like things are really happening, I like what he said at the end, “we will be on time.”
Jul 16th, 2009 (11:58 pm)Amen!
Be well,
Tagamet
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:11 am)I agree that GM will probably not try to force Lyle to shut down.
What I am concerned about is that all the open access he has been given up to this point may disappear, and that would be a real shame….
Talking directly to Fritz, Weber, Boniface, and Farah may be over. But never fear, Big Bob Lutz is old school, and will not turn his back on us!!!!
I signed on at Voltage to take a look. It is just boring…..
Go Lyle! Go GM-Volt.com!!!
+2
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:23 am)GM-VOLT.COM is still an enthusiast site and not a GM corporate commercial site. You can’t blame them for doing it. Hopefully it will generator the same enthusiasm as this site has.
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:25 am)I don’t know. It looks to me like the Volt is getting about 101 mpg at about 2:10 into the video. Just look at the fuel gauge at the top right of the screen….
And the 36 miles AER – It must have been Lyle lead footing it on his way to work!!!!
The Volt discussions are fading away? Are you kidding? Have you looked at the post counts lately? This site is busier than ever!
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:26 am)Yep that would be even more stupid in PR terms than crushing the EV1′s.
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:27 am)Hopefully the official site will attract attention of lay people. As for the regulars of this site, we’ll still be coming here for our latest Volt news!
-2
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:29 am)I had planned to bash this website because I have frequently found this to be all-too-close to GM, indeed a place for GM-has-beens to come on and “explain” GM-management’s incredible short-sighted narcissistic lies and misrepresentations. and so i thought “Gee, Lyle must feel like all those people who bought GM cars, that is, screwed by GM.”
But in fact, Voltage.com, proves that nothing has changed at GM. At least not in management. While they were getting a perfect place for the GM apologists, sycopahnts, and acolytes for free, now they’re going to pay employees to do this for them? Why? Because nothing has changed at GM………
-1
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:42 am)test for my new avatar
-1
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:47 am)Lyle dont worry, GM doesn’t know how to manage a site ( like building cars – still multiple volt sites GM is still at starting and unmaintained like GM trade marks – Mark of just enough or nice concepts, poor execution ). I think they have some performance review and mgmt asked managers to do innovations. some manager want to show that he is innovating and launched it for his appraisal. Once appraisal is over , it will die
The problem is not launching a site. Maintaining a site is big task,- even for twitter i see a lot friends started and now all lost the initial charm. My self also did blog for an year and them no posts for long time.
We are still with GM-volt.com
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:54 am)Has anyone ever seen them in the same place at the same time?????
+2
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:55 am)That’s very tinfoil-hatty. What I can see GM doing is offering Lyle a pretty penny for access to all those ‘leads’ on 48,796 people that self-identified themselves as wanting to put a deposit down on a Volt. Those leads are good leads. HEY! PUT. THAT COFFEE. DOWN. Coffee’s for closers only…
Jul 17th, 2009 (1:05 am)“It’s kind of like going to your parents to talk about sex.”
Yeah, kids should learn about sex from the *internet* instead of their parents. This will end well
-6
Jul 17th, 2009 (1:25 am)Yes, I have looked and noticed content about Volt itself is becoming even harder to find. Now, most posts are about everything else… busy, but with increasingly less relevant messages.
Jul 17th, 2009 (1:29 am)Keep it going, Lyle.
The ICE Age is over. Embrace the VOLTage.
Jul 17th, 2009 (1:44 am)That’s why I saw Bob Lutz hawking some team jerseys in Poughkeepsie!
Jul 17th, 2009 (2:20 am)-21 for claiming third post. Can we beat that for claiming 38th…? lol
+3
Jul 17th, 2009 (3:40 am)Swindled by a bigger Pirate!
GO EV !!!
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (4:24 am)“I’m sure GM’s site will offer all the ‘ins and outs’ on the technical nature of the Volt, (and Lyle will deliver those to us as well), but we get all the ‘extra pieces of the puzzle’ here.”
If I’d have seen this post before Static, I would have said pretty much the same thing. This site is not owned and operated by GM, and as such, I expect the balance of news from this site and its readers to be less bias – particularly when it comes to mentioning more on what the competition is doing.
I will still be here for the daily reads.
Jul 17th, 2009 (5:05 am)Lyle,
your’s and our’s site gm-volt.com will remain our site because it has hart. GM simply was obliged to make some PR attempt/activity.
Darius
Jul 17th, 2009 (5:21 am)“The BEACH, the BEACH. That’s my idea…” Seinfeld
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (5:47 am)Bah, I’ve seen many companies try to artificially spin up a thriving fan community by launching such a site, and it never works. All the marketing exec types see what the site *could* become and drool, and tell the techs “Make it so!” but they fail to realize that Internet communities do not spring up from a construction site and an advertising blitz. Fans will congregate on sites where they find value and will shun sites where they do not. I think fans will visit the site provided it continues bringing out information they want, and they may even post comments, but it will never be their home the way this site is. Fans will read the spun-and-sanitized official releases there and then they will come back here for the deeper digging and informed topic selection that Lyle provides.
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (6:13 am)“(Lyle), your site has been the mainstay of Chevy Volt info, and will remain so. However, (GM’s) corporate face does need to do a better job of public relations, and this is most likely their first attempt.
I agree 100%, Grant! And Lyle, just as GM (Bob Lutz) felt threatened/motivated/jealous that silicon valley upstart Tesla was upstaging them —which they’ve freely admited inspired them to develop the Volt— I’m convinced those at GM behind chevroletvoltage.com were at least motivated (if not a bit threatened or even a little jealous) that GM-Volt.com had so upstaged them in getting Volt news out!
So we sincerely applaud you, Lyle, as a visionary who foresaw the vital importance to the entire world’s future of heralding a truly practical electric car, the Volt EREV concept, as a genuinely realistic way of reducing the world’s dependence on and addiction to oil!
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (6:18 am)“Yes, I have looked and noticed content about Volt itself is becoming even harder to find. Now, most posts are about everything else… busy, but with increasingly less relevant messages.”
its a car, four wheels.. we are doomed to run out of things to talk about.. we work on about 10 facts and the rest is guesses. The scary part is that GM engineers read our guesses and go “boy that sounds like a good way to do it”.
You know its bad when people attempt to do mileage and efficiency calculations with the little data we have.
You still think the Volt is about the mileage it gets once the battery is empty? Is that what the public will use to judge the success or failure of the Volt?
I think the iconic image will be the Volt driving past a gas station with a long line of people trying to buy rationed gas.
Jul 17th, 2009 (6:23 am)Can understand they’ll want to manage some of the Volt news by putting their own initial spin on developments.
Even so, this site has tremendous value for its vibrant, knowledgable and unfiltered discourse (I exclude my own ramblings from that description!).
Go Lyle!
+2
Jul 17th, 2009 (6:29 am)I think it has pretty much all been said. I LOVE this site! I look forward to logging on as my machine and me wake up every morning. It is a routine of sorts. I probably spend too much time here, but the unbiased information and opinions of our ‘VOLT WORLD’ cannot be matched elsewhere. Keep up the awesome information Lyle!
Jul 17th, 2009 (6:35 am)Did anyone happen to notice the coolest thing in that video, something that cannot be done with any other mass produced vehicle. They show a guy putting the driver side front wheel on… drum roll… and then he spins it, and it freewheels. It is a small reduction in friction, but a giant leap in auto design thinking.
Jul 17th, 2009 (7:09 am)LOL. See that CapnJack – latent marketing skills!
Jul 17th, 2009 (7:11 am)Corporate websites which are designed to be “social” normally end up being purely PR portals with little or no “social” aspect. That’s fine because what the corporation really wants is a PR site and the “social” aspect is icing on the cake.
I think most people want an unfiltered unrestriceted site for their “social” discussions which is what gm-volt.com provides.
Both sites have their places. The GM site will have access to a lot of pretty pictures, videos and power point slides and gm-volt.com will vicariously have all that plus everything else.
Jul 17th, 2009 (7:38 am)Giving out a GM (government) spin for the Volt is O.K. The more Volt exposure the better. Electrification of transportation is coming!. Lyle, your readership will not diminish as your web site is more than a Volt site; it is a site for all Volt competitive issues. Be it the Chinese development of electric cars, Nissan, Toyota, Honda. I doubt that the GM site will want to promote these developments.
Jul 17th, 2009 (7:45 am)Lyle,
Not to worry, with the gov. helping them they will screw it up for sure.
Jul 17th, 2009 (8:00 am)Your comment reminds one of the Frost poem
Better to go down crucified
With boughten friendship at your side
Than none at all ….
Jul 17th, 2009 (8:00 am)the phrase about flattery is the exact phrase i stated in my head when i read this post. the exact one.
but as i’m finally commenting on this one and not on many of the others already said…
lyle, this has been my first daily site to check EVERY single day for a while now. your time and money are greatly appreciated here by all. the main point is the volt, but a side point is EV in general. and that’s what we all want. the site’s posters are sometimes very technical and opinionated. but nothing gets too personal or out of hand.
power to the people. free speech whether it be dislikes about the volt or how great it is are both welcome. debates often bring out and make for better products and discussions in the end.
i’ll be staying here, keep up the great work lyle.
Jul 17th, 2009 (8:13 am)I completely agree. I just hope that GM continues to provide Lyle with access and information.
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (8:28 am)Lyle,
I just checked out their site. I thought they did an awesome job. The videos and pictures are better than good. The humanizing of the volt story by showing the engineers and workers is briliant.
The site it’s self is very good. If they update this site daily with new videos and information it will be a huge hit!
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (8:55 am)I think its great that GM has opened its own site as it’ll give them the opportunity to offer up information to everyone then trying to figure out who gets dibs on it first. That said, I’ll still come here first every day for my daily dose of volt goodness as its unfiltered, and extends beyond just the volt (not that I want something other than the volt. But if someone were to give me one of those Fiskers, I wouldn’t complain…)
Jul 17th, 2009 (9:39 am)If Toyota or BMW or any other manufacturer announces an EV innovation or product, I am confident Lyle will report on it objectively. If a competitor leapfrogs the Volt in some respect, I am confident Lyle will be there to shine the light on it. As much as this site is Volt-centric, even bigger is its vision of an EV world that is petroleum free. In the end, EV progress trumps Volt progress. As a daily reader of this blog, while rooting for Volt, I am even more inspired by some of Lyle’s posts about progress other producers are making. It’s the competition that will push this industry forward, not just the Volt. Therefore, no matter what GM’s Volt site reports, it cannot compete with gm-volt.com, which will, hopefully, continue to follow EV progress industry wide.
Jul 17th, 2009 (9:55 am)Well, I tried to register on their site, but it failed to email the registration confirmation so my log in is trapped in limbo.
It looks like an interesting place tho.
Jul 17th, 2009 (9:59 am)Just checked out the Voltage site and was unimpressed. One thing I like about gm-volt.com is its simplicity. I read Lyle’s daily post and feel like I’m getting a bite-sized dosage of Volt and EV news. Just enough, but not too much. Whereas, the Voltage site is hectic, difficult to navigate, and the font is too small (for me) to read without reading glasses. Also, too much information, frankly.
So Lyle, be not discouraged. I predict your readership will continue to grow.
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (10:03 am)John1701a said:
“Yes, I have looked and noticed content about Volt itself is becoming even harder to find. Now, most posts are about everything else… busy, but with increasingly less relevant messages.”
————————
I usually have your back when you are taking flak about something on the Prius that isn’t justified…but I’m going to have to go with Herm on this one.
It is flat out hard to come up with something new to talk about on the Volt. The only things left really are performance specs and pricing…and just like Toyota did with the Prius, those hard numbers come out very, VERY late in the timeline.
/shrug
Jul 17th, 2009 (10:04 am)Lyle, you are required reading for me
+2
Jul 17th, 2009 (10:05 am)I really have a some series self deprecation issues then…although I have wicked awesome taste in ties, so it evens itself out.
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (11:05 am)john1701a,
Help me out here, john. I’ve misplaced my link to the site where Toyota discusses – in detail – the development of ANY of their vehicles for 2+ years prior to their release? I really miss going there daily.
You could send the link to me at lgeguzis@comcast.net.
Thanks,
Be well,
Tagamet
Jul 17th, 2009 (11:18 am)Lyle,
Rest assured GM-Volt.com will not be left behind by the existence of a GM branded Volt web-site. We may take a look at it, we may even participate in discussions there, but our minds and hearts will be here with you and the many fine people who contributed to the success of GM-Volt.com.
Thanks to you, once again.
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (11:37 am)LOVE that colour! :-p
Jul 17th, 2009 (11:40 am)Naw… I like Lyle way too much to put him in that sort of danger!
Jul 17th, 2009 (11:46 am)“When I have time, I read a bunch of different websites about the new “green technologies” that are being developed.
=====================================================
For me, a lot of those “different websites” come from links posted here, or articles on Lyle’s sister site AllCarsElectric.com. That makes this site one stop shopping and the first place to check every day. I hope the readers here who do frequent Voltage will link to anything interesting over there so I don’t have to search for the few nuggets that may appear.
Jul 17th, 2009 (11:47 am)It’s all about the booty…
Jul 17th, 2009 (11:57 am)LOL! yep it seems the local community got tired of those posts!
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:08 pm)It’s a two edged sword though.
If they DON’T have their own site then they get nailed on not supporting the products!
I think there is room for both.
I will still come here first of course, but I’m OK with checking the “Official” site as well.
Now HERE is the trick, can they pull off a GOOD live interactive site? If they DO then it bodes well for the new GM that they CAN learn a new trick or two.
I hope they can!
Lyle is still #1 but more support to get MY Volt to me is welcome!
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:09 pm)Naw, Statik is MUCH older than Bob.
Be well,
Tagamet
+1
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:24 pm)We’ll just have to agree to disaggree on this one. I see GM”s move as yet another evidence of their myopic, incredilbly poor, judgement on GM’s part. They HAVE a golden goose and now are trying to launch a tin falcon.
If you were in Lyle’s shoes today you wouldn’t be “irritated”? Post everyday for 2.5 years and then get an “attaboy – but not good enough”
JMO,
Be well,
Tagamet
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:44 pm)OK, I see your point without a doubt.
But since this has ALWAYS been a fan site I really don’t see what has changed.
So what if they (GM) try to emulate this site what is that but a complement to our good doctor?
GM, keep Lyle in the loop because he’s a fantastic ambassidor!
I welcome them to the fray, let them sink or swim on their merits.
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:47 pm)Oooooooo.. it is SO on!
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:51 pm)I’m using IE 8, and my computer is fully up-to-date and it won’t let me register.
Maybe I need to try FireFox.
Jul 17th, 2009 (12:52 pm)Hey, I hear 90 is the new 70….(lol) First smile I’ve had since yesterday’s news. If I can be the “crazy uncle” statik can be the “sage, wizen one”. As he said, we’re all family here.
Be well,
Tagamet
Jul 17th, 2009 (1:11 pm)Lyle,
It was inevitable / is good that they have their own site. As many have said it’s a standard part of corporate PR.
What I’ve appreciated about your site is that it’s for independent enthusiasts. There are many sites devoted to puff pieces (Voltage) or complaining (Yelp) but your site is for people truly devoted to a successful car. So we gripe when we need to, praise when we need to.
Thank you for all your work. As for me, I’m going to keep “dancing with the one that brung me.” You still the man. And if I see that they put videos, interviews on their site not available on your site, I’m going to give them an earful!
Jul 17th, 2009 (1:29 pm)OK. So I took a look at the GM site. I even signed up for an account. Two things I noticed about it. One: It has a lot of content that is difficult to find your way around and through. Pretty much follows GM’s pattern for other sites. A jungle to wade through. Two: After more than two hours after signing up for an account I have yet to receive an email as promised so I could activate the account. That is bad response time from something that should be “automatic” and should happen in seconds to a few short minutes after registration is complete.
So, I grade the site a poor “C-” and declining by the minute. I may check-in every few days just to see what is happening, but at this point in time I don’t give a rat’s a$$ if the email never arrives to activate my account. That’s my opinion of the site, GM and you can take that to the bankruptcy court next time.
Jul 17th, 2009 (2:11 pm)I am already an inactive member of Facebook.
I can go there if I wanted to.
Truth be told, I enjoy it here. You guys are awesome. We have something in common that is of great importance. We can debate without getting offended (most of the time). We have become friends without ever meeting each other. When a long time member here loses a loved one, we know about it and feel the pain too.
This is a great site. I look at every day. I comment less now because I am so busy. But it would be a tremendous loss to see it go.
Lyle, you do a superb job. I’m not going anywhere.
Jul 17th, 2009 (2:32 pm)I think what Lyle has done with GM-Volt.com is something special and he has obviously amassed a significant following. I think Lyle should continue this site as he has and even if GM starts to cut off Lyle’s access to inside interviews or photos, he has done a great job of getting the appropriate news out and this is where the real community of early initiators is. It is the only online community I regularly frequent.
I think Lyle should simply continue to do what he has already done and if the people stay — as I certainly will — GM will eventually be forced to cooperate rather than exclude Lyle. And I think that will lead to a better website.
Jul 17th, 2009 (2:54 pm)laughing… tears and all…
-1
Jul 17th, 2009 (3:15 pm)I’m stayin as long as Capt Jack is. That guy kills me. Always a +1. Arr! Great job Lyle!
Jul 17th, 2009 (3:28 pm)Scre# Those Corporate A##es
I’ll be reading and getting my info here. And with Canada and Japan goverments offering it citizens a better deal then ours towards buying an electric car. I’m now leaning towards buying a iMiev or Mixim or Canuckmobile. Goverment Motors better sweetin their offering or they are toast.
Jul 17th, 2009 (4:29 pm)I have been a member of GM’s Project Driveway for fuel cell EVs for a couple of years now. I have been coming here for about the same amount of time. I have found this a wonderful place for Volt and other EV information and I have learned a lot. Lyle has done a TERRIFIC job, yeah Lyle! I am looking forward to many more insights that come from this site. So keep up the good work, I’m not leaving.
Jul 17th, 2009 (5:02 pm)I hope they’ll post manuals and detailed technical information once it becomes available!
http://www.tdiclub.com pretty-much single-handedly sold me on the Volkswagen Diesel. I found out what was special about the car, and I also found out that I could solve nearly any problem with the community’s help.
Also, I hope that mechanics have a place in the VoltAge community. I’m more likely to use the services of a professional mechanic if I can talk to one first. I’ve faced the “I could do that job but it sounds like I’d rather pay a professional mechanic to do that” decision many times.
Jul 18th, 2009 (1:36 am)Lyle, my loyalty is with you. by developing this site and doing all the work you do to keep us informed I believe that you have personally made a huge contribution to the Volt’s success so far. I have decided that I will sign up on the new chevy official media site but I will check back here much more frequently.
You are an awesome assett to the Volt’s development.
Jul 18th, 2009 (2:36 am)Lyle,
You’ll have turn the lights out to keep us away. Like a bunch of free loading guests crashing your party, we’re not going aynwhere.
Jul 18th, 2009 (11:25 am)AussieVolt: Now we will have to do a reverse polarity for the Aussie Volt to work right down under? LOL! No doubt steering will have to be, ah, modified.
Regards from the other side of the World.——–Higgins and the Lads
Jul 18th, 2009 (11:44 am)Carcus1 I could lend Lyle the Lads as they have made it back from the slow boat from China. Zeus & Apollo have a taste for “Chinese Food” and are always hungry for some odd reason.
I think CDavis is on to something and I would not put it past the corporate suits and now the Government to want control at some point over something called Chevy and Volt. How clumsy could they be???
I worked in the film industry for about 8 years. The BIG productions like, The Patriot and The Postman were very much into control. Sites that they have gone into screen out any critique and encourage sycophants. I well recall the time when one of the little Gestapo agents on The Patriot (Mel Gibson) tried to grab my camera but because I was on horse and of my status in the production I said, “NO!” and got away with it. Maybe Lyle has such and GM will trod nicely.
Regards! Higgins and the Lads
Jul 18th, 2009 (11:52 am)Those ties drive The Lads, Zeus & Apollo to whine and cover their eyes with their paws. You can hear them a mile away.
Regards to, ah, both of you! Higgins & canine company
Jul 21st, 2009 (1:24 pm)LYLE,
THE WHOLE FAKE WEB AND ALL IS CHILDISH. IF YOU WOULD HAVE LAID IN THE FLOOR AND CRIED LIKE A BABY IT WOULD HAVE SHOWED MORE CLASS THAN GETTING A FAKE WEB NAME CLOSE TO THEIRS AND TRYING TO REROUT TO GM-VOLT.COM. I JUST LOST SOME SERIOUS RESPECT FOR YOU. SORRY.